Man's Hinggi Cloth (Warp-Ikat Mantle)
19th century
Medium
Cotton, plain weave; warp-dyed (ikat); fringe on two sides
Dimensions
283.2 × 118.8 cm (111 1/2 × 46 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
27233
Art Historical Context
This striking Man's Hinggi Cloth, a warp-ikat mantle from 19th-century Indonesia—likely the island of Sumba—serves as a masterful example of traditional textile artistry. Crafted from cotton in a plain weave, the features intricate patterns created through the warp-ikat technique, bundles of warp threads are resist-dyed before weaving. This-intensive method produces the characteristic blurred edges and motifs that tell stories of cosmology, ancestry, and social status. Measuring an impressive 283.2 × 118.8 cm, it's designed to drape over the shoulders as a ceremonial shawl or mantle for men. ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...